CAO
Job TypeDirect Hire
Remote TypeOn-Site
Compensation$275000 - $375000 / yr
CooperDouglas is partnering with a high-growth, multi-site, multi-national company is conducting a confidential search for a Head of Accounting (CAO / VP of Accounting) to lead its global accounting organization through IPO readiness and into life as a public company. This role is designed for a transformative builder who thrives in a demanding, fast-paced environment, someone who can architect a world-class controllership function while still operating hands-on in the details.
Responsibilities:
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Set the overall accounting vision and operating model to support IPO readiness, public-company reporting, and ongoing global scale.
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Design and implement a controllership framework that meets the standards of public company investors, auditors, and regulators.
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Lead the company’s readiness for public-company life, including audit preparedness, process rigor, documentation, and control maturity.
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Own the preparation and integrity of GAAP financial statements, including consolidated balance sheet, income statement, cash flow, and related disclosures.
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Build and lead the external reporting function, including quarterly and annual filings (10-K, 10-Q, 8-K), earnings support, and related documentation.
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Establish disclosure controls and procedures aligned with SEC expectations and best practices.
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Own the global close calendar, ensuring a disciplined, predictable close across multiple entities, currencies, and jurisdictions.
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Oversee general ledger integrity, account reconciliations, intercompany accounting, eliminations, and consolidations.
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Ensure robust inventory, cost of goods sold, and margin reporting, including alignment with Operations and Supply Chain.
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Author accounting policies, memos, and technical positions to support key judgments and complex or non-routine transactions.
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Partner on M&A strategy and execution, including due diligence, purchase accounting, opening balance sheets, and post-acquisition integration.
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Evaluate new accounting standards, assess impact, and lead implementation across the organization.
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Build and maintain a robust internal control environment that is SOX-ready, including entity-level controls, process-level controls, and IT-dependent controls.
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Lead the design and documentation of key controls across revenue, inventory, purchasing, payroll, equity, financial reporting, and IT systems.
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Implement best-in-class tools for consolidation, reporting, and analytics, enabling self-serve access to accurate financial data.
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Act as a key partner to FP&A on planning, forecasting, and variance analysis, ensuring alignment between actuals, budgets, and guidance.
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Work closely with Legal on contracts, disclosure matters, equity plans, and compliance topics with accounting implications.
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Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, and Commercial leaders to ensure that accounting reflects business reality and supports decision-making.
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Collaborate with Tax on global structuring, provision, and compliance, ensuring accurate reporting and alignment with accounting.
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Structure the team for scale, including regional leaders, technical accounting, SEC reporting, and core GL/close functions.
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Attract and retain top talent who can perform in a demanding, high-accountability environment.
Qualifications:
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Bachelor's degree in Accounting with a CPA is required
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Public accounting with a strong preference for big 4 or a national firm is required.
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15+ years experience including experience as a CAO, Corporate Controller, or VP/Head of Accounting for a multi-entity, multi-national organization preparing for or operating as a public company.
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Demonstrated experience leading IPO readiness or public-company transformation, including building SEC reporting, disclosure controls, and SOX-ready processes from the ground up.
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Ability to build, scale, and lead high-performing accounting teams in demanding, high-growth environments, setting clear standards for quality, speed, and ownership.
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Broad technical expertise across revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, leases, consolidations, foreign currency, and M&A/purchase accounting, with a history of authoring policies and technical memos.
Onsite- Beverly Hills
Compensation $275,000 - 375,000 + bonus + LTI
